Should you use a 5-iron or a 7-iron from the fairway on the fifth hole at Fox Creek Golf Course?

That's a decision left only to the golfer, but some new technology at two of Livonia's golf courses is now available to help.

Both Fox Creek, 36000 Seven Mile, and Whispering Willows, 20500 Newburgh, now offer advanced golf carts that provide services such as GPS. The electric carts, which just became available in April, have a monitor that shows a map of the hole the player is currently on and shows how far the green is, along with hazards such as sand traps and water. That information can be better used to determine what kind of club and shot to use.

"Really, all you're seeing here is the technological features," said Ryan Yoder, operations manager at Fox Creek. "It has the GPS system, it has two USB ports on it for charging phones."

The USB ports can even be used to plug a small speaker in to play music while out on the links, "as long as it's not too loud," Yoder said. That's a trend that's picked up in recent years, he said.

The cart knows where you are and offers information. It does't critique your swing. Yet.(Photo: Bill Bresler | hometownlife.com)

In addition to determining distance to the green, the carts can send an order for food to the nearby restaurant, George Murphy's At The Creek, and golfers can pick it up when they swing by the restaurant while playing.

While the carts are helpful to players, it's also helpful to course management. With the GPS system in each cart, management can see if there's an issue on the course, be it a slow group or a potential medical emergency. The carts also have geo-fencing technology built in that slows down carts as they approach bridges and the clubhouse and warns golfers as they approach those restricted areas.

"It does let us control traffic on the golf course a little bit," said Tom Welsh, director of golf services for the city. "It helps us maintain the pace of play and I think it's a good safety feature for them, because they can't get into some areas where they might get in trouble."

Paid through cart fees

The carts are being used in the city on a five-year lease, costing roughly $120,000 a year. That cost is being paid through a $1 increase to the cart fee, a move approved by the city council earlier this year. The current cost to rent a cart at either Fox Creek or Whispering Willows is $9 for nine holes or $15 for 18 holes, in addition to the greens fees. A full list of rates and other information can be found on the city's golf page at golflivonia.com.

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The dual USB ports will charge your device or help you connect.(Photo: Bill Bresler | hometownlife.com)

Welsh said golfers have taken well to the new technology, even if there is some education that comes with it.

"There's a little bit of a learning curve to it because they're used to going everywhere, but I think most people are liking it," Welsh said.

The carts will be at the two courses moving forward. Idyl Wyld Golf Course will not receive them at this time, though it's possible it could receive the upgraded carts in the future.

Ted Davis, superintendent of parks and recreation for the city, said he's not heard any complaints about the increase in price and said the added technology has given them value for the increased price.

"We thought it was a good value for the patrons," Davis said. "I think this is worth $1.

"I think this is a huge upgrade to playability."

Contact David Veselenak at dveselenak@hometownlife.com or 734-678-6728. Follow him on Twitter @davidveselenak.